What do you mean she doesn't have a power base? She has the BA hunters, two Blue Sitters, etc. as a solid support base in the Hall of the Tower. Together, they ensure that the Hall cannot pass any legislation that she strongly opposes. She also has Silviana, Nynaeve and Siuan, all influential women in the Tower.
Then, she has the position itself. As she showed with her actions to get the rulers of world to meet Rand, as long as you approach its power rationally, just being the Amyrlin Seat is a lot of power. Short of the Dragon Reborn, it is the most powerful position in the world, and that still holds true.
The reason why I think she isn't a great ruler is different. I think, like Rand, Nynaeve, Cadsuane, etc., Egwene is usually a quantum ahead of the people she's leading and is impatient at the slow speed with which they catch up. When she is concerned with the Seals, for example, many of those she leads are concerned with politics. She has not yet shown to ability to make a huge number of her followers excited about what she wants to do. She's spent too long having to manipulate them, and so she doesn't resort to simply talking to people like Romanda and Lelaine and trying to include them in her concerns.
People like Perrin, on the other hand, are better because they are blunt with the people they lead. Egwene needs that. Rand needed that, but has improved dramatically after his epiphany. Egwene may be headed there, but she has a ways to go yet.
Then, she has the position itself. As she showed with her actions to get the rulers of world to meet Rand, as long as you approach its power rationally, just being the Amyrlin Seat is a lot of power. Short of the Dragon Reborn, it is the most powerful position in the world, and that still holds true.
The reason why I think she isn't a great ruler is different. I think, like Rand, Nynaeve, Cadsuane, etc., Egwene is usually a quantum ahead of the people she's leading and is impatient at the slow speed with which they catch up. When she is concerned with the Seals, for example, many of those she leads are concerned with politics. She has not yet shown to ability to make a huge number of her followers excited about what she wants to do. She's spent too long having to manipulate them, and so she doesn't resort to simply talking to people like Romanda and Lelaine and trying to include them in her concerns.
People like Perrin, on the other hand, are better because they are blunt with the people they lead. Egwene needs that. Rand needed that, but has improved dramatically after his epiphany. Egwene may be headed there, but she has a ways to go yet.
Egwene, a poor leader?
16/12/2010 05:59:15 PM
- 2224 Views
Egwene isn't supposed to be a leader. She's a dictator and a politician.
16/12/2010 08:21:13 PM
- 1389 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
16/12/2010 10:53:20 PM
- 1070 Views
If the Shadow had removed Elaida so Egwene was Amyrlin whilst Rand was still Dark ...
16/12/2010 11:56:08 PM
- 1021 Views
Same thing if Elaida was in charge when meeting w/ Dark Rand. *NM*
17/12/2010 02:10:20 AM
- 533 Views
Except Rand wouldn't go to the WT with Elaida in charge, without having to fight
17/12/2010 02:50:18 AM
- 1138 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 03:07:40 AM
- 1166 Views
Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
17/12/2010 04:52:34 AM
- 943 Views
Re: Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
17/12/2010 05:44:30 AM
- 1053 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 02:30:48 PM
- 1113 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 08:25:39 PM
- 883 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
18/12/2010 05:06:21 AM
- 1046 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
19/12/2010 08:41:31 PM
- 955 Views
Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends. *NM*
20/12/2010 12:14:55 AM
- 564 Views
Re: Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends.
20/12/2010 01:24:12 AM
- 1000 Views
And the most painful torments were caused by Egwene
20/12/2010 09:31:44 AM
- 1116 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
20/12/2010 12:57:42 AM
- 882 Views
She has the same power base as any Amyrlin - the Aes Sedai, the artisans, Guards & citizens of TV
17/12/2010 05:51:20 PM
- 1038 Views
Ta'veren vs. Mary Sue
17/12/2010 07:33:28 PM
- 1423 Views
I see them as being the same thing.
17/12/2010 08:11:30 PM
- 1046 Views
I don't think the case can be made for Rand having it easy
17/12/2010 11:04:58 PM
- 966 Views
I would say that in the grand scheme of things, Rand's had good to balance out the bad.
20/12/2010 06:27:35 PM
- 953 Views
Funniest statement I've ever seen on here.
18/12/2010 05:22:28 AM
- 1061 Views
But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
20/12/2010 06:17:17 PM
- 1357 Views
Re: But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
22/12/2010 05:28:01 PM
- 1128 Views
Yes, but for completely different reasons...
18/12/2010 12:35:23 AM
- 1082 Views
You think Egwene has more power than Tuon?
18/12/2010 12:27:01 PM
- 905 Views
Definitely...
18/12/2010 03:24:12 PM
- 948 Views
I think comparing Egwene to McCain is asking for trouble on several fronts.
20/12/2010 12:33:04 AM
- 916 Views

She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 02:41:32 AM
- 936 Views
RJ is more powerful.
20/12/2010 03:25:49 AM
- 1056 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 09:46:22 AM
- 1012 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 09:55:03 AM
- 880 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 10:27:59 AM
- 974 Views